Sealed container



2 Shee'ts-Sheet l Nov. 9, 1937. cfs. ANDREWS SEALED CONTAINER Filed June 9, 1932 NOV, 9, 1937. C s, ANDREWS 2,098,818

SEALED CONTAINER Filed June 9, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 11am/4e 5. ha'fews ATTORN Patented Nov. 9, 193'! UNITED STATES PATENT OFI-lcs SEALED CONTAINER Champe S. Andrews, North Chattanooga, Tenn. Application June 9, 1932, Serial No. 616,253

Claims.

'I'his invention relates to sealed containers and more particularly to a container comprising a sealed outer shell having therein one or more individually sealed cells or units, each cell being 5 adapted to contain and preserve the contents packed therein against deterioration.

It is well known that coffee, tea, spices and like foods and materials lose their flavor and aroma, often deteriorate so as to be harmful to l0 health, or otherwise ineifective to serve their full purpose, when they become exposed to air over extended periods of time. Containers heretofore used to preserve materials of this nature have been made of metal, and very often have been hermetically sealed. Such containers are very expensive to manufacture and pack, greatly adding to the cost of the contents'as finally delivered to the user. For purposes of economy, containers heretofore used are sometimes made ot c0nsiderable size so as to contain a larger quantity. But this attempt toward economy also has its objections, since in using large containers the contents are often exposed for a long time before they are finally used up with the result that the nal portion of the contents becomes harmed after the opening and unsealing of the container, and the advantage of a sealed container is thus largely lost.

It is an object of my invention to provide a sealed container which is inexpensive to make, which can be easily and quickly packed, and which fully protects the contents against deterioration.

Another object of my invention is to provide a multiplesealed pack for perishable products, into which the contents may be easily and quickly inserted by hand or automatic machinery, and from which the desired amount of material may be removed without exposing the remaining part to the deteriorating action of the atmosphere.

Another object of my invention is to provide a multiple sealed container which is inexpensive to produce, which may be made in a variety of attractive shapes, designs and patterns, and which is permanently sealed to protect the contents against deterioration and the harmful effects ,of the atmosphere.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a quick, eillcient and economical method 0 of packing perishable products to protect them against the -deteriorating eifects of the atmosphere and other harmful conditions.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be 5 carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cutout blank from which the 10 body and cover portionpf the outer container shell may be formed;

Fig. 2 shows a blank from which the body portion of the cellular insert may be formed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a blank from 15 which a cell spacer may be formed:

Fig. 4 shows the insert blank and spacer in the process of assembly;

Fig. 5 -is a perspective view oi the container showing the cellular insert within the outer shell, 20 which is about to be sealed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the container showing the cover portion of the outer shell swung open, and the cellular insert therein opened and unsealed;

Fig. "l is a vertical cross sectional view through the complete sealed container;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a battery of separate inner cells, adapted to be positioned side by side within the outer shell; and 30 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of sep-` arate inner cells adapted to be stacked vertically within the outer shell.

Like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the specication and drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, I have shown in Fig. 1 a blank from which the body and cover portion of the outer shell may be formed. This blank comprises generally a front wall portion I0,

- a rear wall portion Il and side wall portions i2 40 and I3 hinged together along the score lines I4. In forming the-body portion of the container, the flap portion I5 hinged to the back portion I l along the score line I6, is glued or otherwise secured to the free edge of the side wall portion i2. 4 Flaps Il are hinged respectively to the front wall portion I0 and rear wall portion il along the score lines I8, and flaps I9 are similarly hinged along score lines 20 to the side wall portions i2 50 and I3. The flaps l1 and I9 are turned inwardly, folded one upon the other, and glued or otherwise secured together in the well known manner to form the bottom wall of the container.

The cover portion of the box is preferably 55 wall portion Il of the box along .the score line 22. 'Ihe side ange portion 2l is hinged to the rear tlange portion 2| along the score line Il. The front flange portion Il is similarly hinged to portion Il along the score line and the side flange portion 2l is likewise hinged to the portion along the score shown in Fig. l. Flange portions 2l and Il are denned from the body portion of the box byxa line of weakness 2l, and the front nange 2l may be separated from the wall portion Il by the cut il, as shown in Fig. l. A nap Il hinged along the score line 32 to the rear flange portion 2i may be glued or otherwise secured to the free edge of the flange portion 2l. The cover naps Il hinged to the flange portions 2l score lines Il. and the flaps 3l hinged to the flange portions 2| and 2B along the score lines It, may be folded inwardly in superimposed relationship and secured together by cement or other means to form the top wall of the cover p0rtion of the box. v Y

Referring more particularly to Fig. 2 the cutout blank for forming the cellular insert for the'box comprises a top portionl l0, a bottom portion 4|, and side portions 42 and 4l. Flaps M are formed on either end of the top portion 4l, and defined therefrom by the score lines 4l. Flaps II formed on the side portion l! are defined therefrom by the score lines 41, and side portion is provided with flaps 4l defined therefrom by the score lines 49. 'Ihe bottom portion Il is provided with side naps Il defined therefrom by the score line Il. In assembling the cellular insert, the securing flap ll dened from the bottoml portion 4I by the score line Il is cemented or otherwise secured to the free edge of the side wall portion l2. One set of flaps M, 48, 48 and III are then folded in superimposed relationship to close and seal one end of the container, as shown in Figure 4. The material to be packed is then inserted and the other set of flaps 4I, Il and 50 are then folded in superimposed relationship and carefully sealed to exclude the air. To obtain access to the contents, the top portion 4l of the insert may be perforated as indicated at l. to define a tab portion 51. 'I'he tab part I1 is broken through with the finger 'or other instrument. 'l'he part 51 as it breaks folds along the score line Il. If the container is to be opened further, the part 59 is lifted upwardly tearing loose along the score 56.

The space within the insert unit scribed may be divided up into two or more cellular spaces by a division wall, such as shown in Figure 3. 'I'he division wall may comprise a wall portion 6| having securing flaps 82 along two or more edges thereof. 'I'he division wall may be 'inserted within the insert unit, secured to and sealedto the walls thereof to form an airtight partition. f

In packaging the product, the sealed insert .unit above described is inserted through the open end oi' the outer shell, as shown in Figure 5. The flaps 33 and 35 are then folded in superimposed relationship, secured together and sealed. 'l'he insert unit may be dipped in paramn after sealing to render the same fully airtight. After the contents are fully packed, the complete container may also be so treated to also render the outer container fully airtight.

It is well known that some materials, such as line Il, as clearly and 21l along the and flavor, and also become rancid and spoil on exposure to air. By using double sealed umts,

. both nearly airtight, the container may be made of paperboard material which provides as satisfactory a container as the sealed metal ones, at greatly less cost. Further, the container may be divided up into a plurality of separate compartments or cells designed and constructed to hold a quantity suitable for a single meal or serving, thus preventing the necessity of opening a full sized container and exposing the contents thereof' to the air while a single helping or serving is taken out. Y

If separate cells 'l0 arefound preferable, they may be made in the same way as the insert units shown in Figure 4, and positioned side by side, as shown in Figure 8. 0r again, the abbreviated separate cells Il shown in Figure 9 may be used, stacked one upon the other. 'I'hese may all be filled by inserting the contents through the side, and removal of the contents may be effected by providing a line of perforations 12 at the top wall, which can be torn away and an opening thus provided.

When the package is ready for use by the consumer, the cover portion is separated from the body portion of the outer shell by cutting along the perforated line 2! and then swinging open the cover portion on the hinged flange 22, exposing the inner cell to view. One or more of the tab portions 51 are lines 5l and the contents may be poured out.

It will be readily appreciated that the container, and more particularly the inner cells, may be of such size and design as to contain a suitable quantity of material to serve one helping or meal, so that the contents thereof can be used up at one time and not allowed to stand exposed to the air. v

While the invention has been described with particular reference to a two-cell container, it will be appreciated that any number of cells may be formed and that the dimensions of the several parts may be so configured permit the packaging of any tityof material in a container, and the use of any subordinate quantity thereof at any one time by the provision of separate compartments or cells.

While certain novel features oi' the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims.. it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A sealed container of the character described, comprising in combination, an outer shell and a closed tubular member telescoped of the particular cell `therein, said member having sealable flaps lclosing the opening through which the contents are inserted, a sealed but openable portion through which the contents may be removed, said outer shell having sealable aps closing the opening through which the cellular member is inserted, the sealable flaps of the outer shell being on a side' other than a side overlying the sealable flaps of the tubular member and a sealed portion adapted to be separated from the main portion of the outer shell provide a hinged cover therefor through which the contents may be removed. said member therethen cut along the perforated along a perforated line to` 2. A sealed container of the character de scribed, comprising in combination, an outer shell and an inner containing member therein,

said member having sealable flaps closing the opening through which the contents are inserted, and a sealed but perforated and openable portion through winch the contents may be removed, said outer shell having sealable fiaps closing the opening through which the cellular member is inserted, and a sealed portion adapted to be separated from the main portion of the' outer shell along a perforated line to provide a hinged cover therefor, the top of said cover overlying the perforated openable portion of said inner containing member and providing an opening through which the contents may be removed, said containing member providing a collar operative to guide the telescoping movements of said hinged cover.

3. A sealed container of the character described, comprising in combination, an outer shell and an innercontaining member therein, said memberhaving sealable flaps closing the opening through which the contents are inserted, and a sealed but perforatedA and openable portion through which the contents may be removed, said contents inserting opening being located on one side of the member and said contents removing opening being located on another side `ofthe member, said outer shell having'sealable naps closing the opening through which the member is inserted, and a sealed portion adapted to be separated from the main portion of the outer shell along a vide a hinged cover therefor, the top of said cover overlying the perforated openable portion of said-inner containing member and providingV an opening'through which the contents may be removed, said containing member providing a collar operative to guide the telescoping movement of said hinged cover.

4. A sealed container of the character deing located on perforated line to pro' scribed, comprisingl in combination, an outer shell and a closed cellular member therein, said member having scalable naps lclosing the opening through which the through which the contents may be removed, said outer shell having scalable iiaps closing the opening through which the cellular member is inserted, the scalable flaps of the outer shell being on a side other than a side overlying the sealable naps of the tubular member, and a sealed portion adapted to be separated from the main portion of the outer shell along a perforated line to provide a hinged cover therefor through which the contents may be removed, said member providing a collar operative 'toguide the telescoping movement of said hinged cover, said hinged covcontents are inserted, and' a sealed but perforated and openable portion er being hinged along a. side wall ofthe coni tainer.

5. A sealed container'of the characterdescribed, comprising in combination, an outer shell and a cellular member therein, said member having sealable flaps closing the opening through which the contents are inserted. and a sealed but perforated and openable portion through which the contents may be removed, said contents in serting opening being located on one side of the member and said contents removing opening beanother side of the member, said outer shell having sealable flaps closing the opening through which the cellular member is inserted, yand a sealed portion adapted to be separated from the main portion of the outer shell along a perforated line to provide a hinged cover therefor, the top of said cover overlying the perforated openable portion of said ing member and providing an opening -through which the contents may be rempved, said mem-- ber providing a collar operative to guide the telescoping movement of said hinged cover, said hinged cover being hinged along a side wall of the container. l

CHAMPE S. ANDREWS.

inner contain- 

